Donating my kidney: Any tips? What do you wish you'd known?

Sorry no tips but my hat is off to you.
You are very unselfish and are a credit to all.
You are at the right place to have this done but still praying everything goes as planned.

@danhoe Hi and Welcome to connect, I just want to add my thanks for being a donor and I'm sure whoever is receiving this beautiful gift will appreciate as much as I know all of us who have received the gift of Life appreciate it.
Have a Blessed Day
Dana

I don’t have any tips but I want to say a huge THANK YOU for this unselfish act. I’m a recent recipient and I’m grateful every day for the donors who came forward for me through the paired donation program.

That's so exciting @danhoe! Things are probably quite different right now than when most of us donated but I'll bet there are also many similarities.

It's too bad that someone can't go in with you but the nurses are amazing at Mayo and hopefully you'll only be in for a day or two. All I really remember is sleeping, walking around and pretending to read but sleeping more.
Do you have specific questions? Someone here is bound to have an answer for almost any non medical question you have. Do you live nearby or will you be staying somewhere for a bit before and after?

I'm technologically challenged so I'm having a hard time finding links from donors but here are 2
- Post donation: check in one year later https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/a-post-donation-check-in-one-year-later/
and
- Kidney transplant from the donor's side https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/kidney-transplant-from-the-donor-side/

Let me know what's going on and how you're doing!

@danhoe, This is absolutely the most wonderful piece of information ever. Thank you for stepping up to the frontline to save a life.
I join the other members of the transplant community in welcoming you to Mayo Connect.

I have found another transplant discussion that I want to add to the ones shared by @mauraacro.
- Living Donor Kidney surgery next Tuesday: Any advice? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/living-donor-kidney-surgery-next-tuesday/

My thoughts will be with you and your recipient on Wednesday.

Good morning @danhoe! I'm guessing you have a couple of appointments today but nothing like the amount you had for your evaluation. In some ways, the surgery was, for me, easier than the whirlwind of evaluation appointments.
How are you doing? Do you have any questions?
This is an amazing thing you're doing and I'll be thinking of you tomorrow.

@mauraacro, I know that you must have many memories of the day of your own kidney donation surgery. Is there an event or moment that stands out in your mind? If you are comfortable, would you share something here about your amazing day?

Minnesota at 4:45AM in January may have been the biggest shock to my system that day!
After check in and going over a list, I was taken to a pre-op room to get my IV and wait for the surgeon. The most soothing nurse sat with me the whole time, making small talk and being very calming. I don't remember much after being wheeled into surgery besides how bright it was and the surgeon saying they'd give me something to relax.
I remember waking up and telling a nurse I was hungry which made her laugh. My husband came in and we slowly walked around a bit. I slept and walked the rest of the day.
The doctors saw me the next morning, said I was doing well and could leave any time. My husband was surprised when I called to say "come get me". We thought I'd be spending 1 more night (I could have if I wanted to) and he had planned to shop and get things ready while I was gone.
If I had the chance to do it over, I would in an instant. It was amazing, exhilarating and nerve racking while being the easiest and most difficult choice I've ever made.

Thank you everyone. My surgery was yesterday at the Az Mayo. Everyone has been kind and skillful. I will be going home this afternoon.

What a gift you have shared! Thank you! My daughter is gifting her dad a kidney June 2. After the pandemic started, surgery was postponed from April 15 to June. Needless to say, we are all anxious that there are no more delays, but appreciate the care being taken. My very best wishes to you and your recipient! You are changing more lives than you can imagine,❤️